No controversy in my appointment as guv: ex-CJI

Former chief justice of India P. Sathasivam Thursday said there was "no controversy in my appointment" as the new Kerala governor as he had retired from the apex court four months ago.

Sathasivam was appointed Kerala governor Wednesday by President Pranab Mukherjee after former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit resigned from the gubernatorial post.

"There is no controversy at all with my appointment. If the government had considered my appointment when I was the chief justice, then it was justified, but I retired four months ago," Sathasivam told a news channel.

"On my retirement day, I had said I was not going to do any business like some of my colleagues are doing. I had also declined to provide legal opinion to the corporate who had come to me," he said.

His remark comes after strong criticism from the state government and the Congress leadership who termed the appointment "inappropriate".

Sathasivam also added that with his 19 years of experience since he belonged to Kerala, he would be able to serve the people better.

"I am a person with knowledge on constitutional statute, so I would be able to serve way better than any other politician," he said.

Further, as people from his own judicial fraternity have also raised opposition to his appointment, he said they should be happy with his appointment.

"Firstly this is not a political appointment, it is a constitutional appointment. So, the legal fraternity and former judges should be happy with my appointment," added Sathasivam.